Relatives of the 44 slain members of the Special Action Force are worrying over President Benigno Aquino III’s obvious push for Sen. Grace Poe for higher office, saying the president is drafting a candidate who would spare and acquit him of criminal charges in connection with the Mamasapano clash.
Speaking to the Inquirer, the relatives are convinced that Poe, who chairs the Senate committee investigating the Mamasapano incident, could easily absolve the President of any responsibility over the Jan. 25 incident.
Poe earlier issued a report that identified Aquino as among those accountable for the deaths of over 60 people, including the 44 SAF men.
“Of course, that is the report and findings of her committee that investigated the incident and she cannot escape from it if in case she will be elected president,” Rico Erana, father of slain Senior Insp. Gary Erana, said.
Marilyn Tayros, sister of Senior Insp. Rennie Tayros of the 84th SAC, said they viewed Poe as someone who could help them achieve justice, however, she said the report that Aquino was considering Poe as his likely successor brought them apprehension.
“We hope she would stand by the result of the investigation, which was based on what really took place,” she said.
Another relative who refused to be identified claimed that Aquino should be made accountable for the outcome of the Mamasapano raid.
Supposedly Aquino handpicking Poe, the relative hoped that it would not hinder to the prosecution of the President.
The relative also urged Poe to “listen” to them adding, “What we want is for her to reject Aquino’s proposal and better run first as Vice President in tandem with Joseph Estrada,”
H/T: Inquirer.net; Photo lifted from Google.